Awards and Scholarships

Exploring Scholarship Opportunities

As a student in the College of Arts and Sciences, there are a number of awards, prizes, and scholarships available to you. Please review the many opportunities included here and apply to those you feel are most suited to your academic accomplishments and future goals. You may apply to more than one, if eligible.

In addition to the opportunities listed here, your major department may have information about relevant honor societies, academic clubs, and other awards or prizes that you may wish to pursue. Honor society memberships, like most praiseworthy things in life, are not automatic. Some academic honor societies admit prospective members early in undergraduate careers, while others choose only juniors and seniors. Outstanding academic achievement, both in the honor society's specialty and in overall course work, is often required. For more information, contact the principal advisor or department chairperson for your major. In addition, refer to this website frequently for updates, new information and new scholarship opportunities. Students are also encouraged to learn more about the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarship Programs in 200 Bowne Hall.

Syracuse University Scholars

A group of eight to twelve academically outstanding graduating seniors are designated each year as Syracuse University Scholars. Each school and college selects one nominee per 100 (or fraction thereof) graduating seniors and forwards these nominations, plus supporting documents, to the Senate Committee on Academic Affairs. The Selection Committee, appointed by the Senate Committee on Academic Affairs, will select eight to twelve Syracuse University Scholars from among the candidates. It will also select one of the University Scholars to give a Commencement address. In addition to demonstrated skill in the use of the English language, criteria for selection include: outstanding performance in coursework; exceptional academic attainment such as publication of original research, literary work, critical essay, etc., or public performance or exhibition of artistic work; co-curricular activities that are indicative of scholarly and intellectual excellence; recognition or acclaim by the wider community for academic achievement.

Eligibility: Outstanding Arts and Sciences seniors (minimum 3.8 GPA) must be nominated to the Arts and Sciences selection committee by department chairpersons or program directors, or individuals designated by them. Individual students may ask their chairpersons to be considered for nomination.

Award: Highest form of academic recognition Syracuse University bestows with baccalaureate degree.

Remembrance Scholars

Syracuse University sponsors an annual scholarship program to honor the memory of the 35 students studying with SU Abroad who were among the 270 people killed in the Pan Am 103 bombing in 1988. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of distinguished academic work, citizenship, and service to community.

Eligibility: Applicants will be required to complete an online application, three short essays, and submit two letters of recommendation. Contrary to popular belief, there is no minimum GPA required. More important is the record of service and commitment to the goal of a world without terrorism. For more information visit the Remembrance website.

Center for Fellowship & Scholarship Advising

CFSA’s mission is to make students, alumni, and faculty aware of nationally competitive fellowship and scholarship opportunities; to help students and alumni identify scholarship opportunities appropriate to their interests and backgrounds; and to assist them through all stages of the application process, from planning to submission to interviews. Learn more about the Center for Fellowship & Scholarship Advising at the CFSA website.

Newell W. Rossman, Jr. Scholarships in the Humanities

The Newell W. Rossman Jr. Scholarships in the Humanities honor a distinguished former administrator of Syracuse University. Recipients will be chosen on the basis of academic and personal excellence. Scholarships will be awarded within the Guidelines, Procedures and Responsibilities specified for the program.

Eligibility: Current Sophomores and Juniors who have declared majors in the Humanities programs. Students must have at least a 3.7 cumulative grade point average at Syracuse University at the time of nomination and be nominated by their department chairperson or program director.

A significant writing sample, such as a term paper or essay on a substantive topic

Transcript

Award: Awards will be in the amount of up to 50 percent of current tuition for the following academic year.Deadline: March 22, 2019 Contact: Office of the Assistant Dean, Advising & Career Services, The College of Arts and Sciences, 329 Hall of Languages. All application materials must be submitted to casadvising@syr.edu with the subject line "Application for Rossman Scholarship."

Eligibility: Annual recognition of outstanding students planning to pursue a career in medicine and research. Current Sophomores and Juniors enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences with a major of Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Physics, Biophysical Science, Integrated Learning Major in Neuroscience, or who are designated Pre-Med. Students must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher and must demonstrate financial need. Students meeting these criteria may be invited to submit an essay if they are selected by their departmental or program representative. Instructions for preparing the essay will be provided to students who are invited to apply.

Award: Awards will offset tuition, the final amount determined by financial need.Deadline: March 22, 2019. Students will be notified by email if invited to submit an essay.Contact: Office of the Assistant Dean, Advising & Career Services, The College of Arts and Sciences, 329 Hall of Languages. All application materials must be submitted to casadvising@syr.edu with the subject line "Application for Ornstein Scholarship."

Sam and Arlene Straight Chemistry Scholarship

The Sam and Arlene Straight Chemistry Scholarship was established in 2012 to help high-achieving chemistry majors pay for their Syracuse University education.

Sam Straight, who graduated from the College of Arts and Sciences in 1964 with a major in chemistry, currently teaches bioscience and supply chain management at North Carolina State University. Before teaching, Straight held leadership positions at GlaxoSmithKline, a global health-care company specializing in pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and consumer healthcare.

The Straights want current chemistry students to make the most of their academic opportunities at Syracuse by engaging with an outstanding community of chemistry professors. Removing some of the financial burden associated with college is why this scholarship was created.

Eligibility: Current chemistry majors who have junior standing or higher. Eligible students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and demonstrate financial need to be considered. Nominations will be solicited from members of the Chemistry Department. Once notified, nominees will be notified and required to submit the following materials:

one letter of recommendation from a faculty member in chemistry

one-page personal statement that describes the nominee’s interest in chemistry and his or her post-graduation/career plans

Dr. Ruth Burton Medical Scholarship

Eligibility: Recognition of outstanding College of Arts and Sciences seniors who are preparing to pursue a career in medicine. Students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher, be eligible for Health Professions Advisory Committee Sponsorship, and must demonstrate financial need. Students meeting these criteria may be invited to submit an application if they are nominated by a faculty member in their academic department and/or a Health Professions Advising Academic Counselor. Instructions for completing the application will be provided to students who are invited to apply. This scholarship is awarded every four years, and the next award cycle is in 2021.

Award: Awards will offset medical school tuition for up to four years, the final amount determined by matriculation into an accredited medical school, financial need, and continued good academic standing.

Deadline: Monday, March 15, 2021 (nominee essay due date)

Contact: Office of the Assistant Dean, Advising & Career Services, The College of Arts and Sciences, 329 Hall of Languages

Jonathan Chayat Memorial Award

The Jonathan Chayat Memorial Award was established in 1977 by Maxwell and Sylvia Chayat in memory of their son, Jonathan, a 1976 cum laude graduate of Syracuse University who was killed in a bicycle accident a month before he was to begin graduate study in English at Syracuse. The award will go to an undergraduate junior or senior who, in the opinion of the selection committee, "most closely embodies the intellectual and moral qualities exemplified by Jonathan Chayat." These include a variety of interests and accomplishments, with particular concern for, and appreciation of, the ethical and aesthetic dimensions of life, devotion to self-knowledge and excellence, and active participation in, and imaginative contribution, to the Syracuse University community. The student must demonstrate a genuine involvement in the arts.

Eligibility: Any junior or senior may be nominated by another student, faculty, or staff member. A letter describing the student and his/her achievements, contributions, and character accompanied by the candidate’s resume and a personal statement should be sent to the Jonathan Chayat Memorial Award Selection Committee. The award is not need-based.

Submit the following materials:

Letter of nomination

Resume

Personal statement

Transcript

Award: $1,000 credited to your accountDeadline:March 22, 2019 deadline to be determinedContact: Office of the Assistant Dean, Advising & Career Services, The College of Arts and Sciences, 329 Hall of Languages. All application materials must be submitted to casadvising@syr.edu with the subject line "Application for Chayat Award."

Deborah A. Coquillon Memorial Award

The Deborah A. Coquillon Memorial Award was established in 2011 by the family of Deborah Anne Bonk Coquillon. Deb dedicated more than twenty years to the students and faculty of Syracuse University, including in the Honors Program and as Director of Career Exploration Services in The College of Arts and Sciences. She was a devoted advocate for students’ success at Syracuse University and in life. In the last years of her life, Deb lived in Washington, D.C., where she was a dedicated public servant.

The award will be given to an exceptional College of Arts and Sciences graduating senior who demonstrates the need for financial assistance in order to pursue his or her post-graduation goals. Just as Deb encouraged each student she advised to pursue his or her unique gifts and talents, the selection committee invites applications from students with a variety of backgrounds, interests, and career goals. Like Deb, the awardee should be committed to assisting and/or advocating for others.

Eligibility: Students who are junior standing or higher. Applicants should submit a current resume and a personal statement (no more than three pages). The personal statement should outline important service activities and how these activities enhanced the student’s personal and intellectual development. In addition, please outline post-graduation plans, how the applicant’s commitment to service will play a role in these plans, and how this award will help the applicant achieve her or his goals. Although there is no established minimum, a current cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above is encouraged. Students with lower GPAs may be considered if they provide a very strong personal statement. As relevant, applicants are invited to include personal and/or academic challenges that they have overcome that are not reflected elsewhere in the application. One letter of recommendation is required and should focus on the qualities of the applicant that are relevant to the spirit of this award.

Submit the following materials:

Resume

Personal statement

One letter of reference

Transcript

Award: $1,500

Deadline: March 22, 2019

Contact: Office of the Assistant Dean, Advising & Career Services, The College of Arts and Sciences, 329 Hall of Languages. All application materials must be submitted to casadvising@syr.edu with the subject line "Application for Coquillon Award."

Matthew Ross Wanetik Memorial Scholarship

The Matthew Ross Wanetik Memorial Scholarship honors the life of Matthew Wanetik, an undergraduate student at Syracuse University from August 2006 until his death from an undetected heart ailment on 3 October 2008 while studying abroad. Matt was a member of the Class of 2010 and participated in our International Relations Learning Community 2006-2007. He was combining his major in International Relations with a major in Political Science and a minor in Global Political Economy.

This award has been created for perpetuity and will annually go to an undergraduate student in The College of Arts and Sciences who is actively engaged in the campus community, and exemplifies Matt's kindness, curiosity, and charm. This engagement might include membership in a learning community, fraternity/sorority, or recognized student organization, and/or participation in community service/volunteer work or off-campus study. The scholarship committee will consider applications from students who demonstrate financial need, as determined by the Syracuse University Office of Financial Aid. For questions, please visit the Matthew Ross Wanetik Memorial Scholarship website or contact the International Relations Office at 315.443.2306 or visit them in 225 Eggers Hall.

Mark and Pearle Clements Internship Awards

The Mark and Pearle Clements Internship Awards are intended to enable Syracuse University students to undertake internships that would not be possible without financial help. Clements interns will usually spend one semester or summer away from the University, working under the guidance and supervision of an expert who can help them explore opportunities to link theory with practice in the world of work.